Whats Going on in the Anglican Communion?
Most people who’ve been watching the Episcopal Church crisis unfold in the past few weeks think they know what the fight is about—sex. Three years ago, American Episcopalians broke with the rest of the Worldwide Anglican Communion by ordaining a practicing gay man as a bishop. As a result, they may be forced out of the communion, and schism within the American church could follow. That scenario appears especially likely after Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams issued a statement last week calling for a significant recasting of the Anglican communion—in effect strengthening and centralizing its authority. Within days, conservative dioceses in the Episcopal Church began heading for the exits, asking for oversight from bishops outside of the United States. But is the Archbishop’s statement a sign that Canterbury is backing the conservative party in the Episcopal Church conflict? And what actually is the issue? A careful reading of Archbishop Williams’ missive, “’Challenge and Hope’ f
